2 responses to move on to spiritual maturity
I. Consider Your Spiritual Maturity (5:11-14)
A. Are you a lazy listener?
Hebrews 5:11 - Concerning him we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing.
B. Are you still learning when you should be teaching?
Hebrews 5:12 - For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food.
C. Are you maturing in discernment?
Hebrews 5:12-14 - For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.
“Getting ready to feast on all God's Word is not first an intellectual challenge; it is first a moral challenge. If you want to eat the solid food of the Word, you must exercise your spiritual senses so as to develop a mind that discerns between good and evil. The startling truth is that, if you stumble over Melchizedek, it may be because you watch questionable TV programs. If you stumble over the doctrine of election, it may be because you still use some shady business practices. If you stumble over the God-centered work of Christ on the cross, it may be because you love money and spend too much and give too little. The pathway to maturity and to solid biblical food is not first becoming an intelligent person, but becoming an obedient person. What you do with alcohol and sex and money and leisure and food and computer have more to do with your capacity for solid food than where you go to school or what books you read.” (John Piper)
II. Press on to Maturity (6:1-3)
Hebrews 6:1-3 - Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, let us press on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of instruction about washings and laying on of hands, and the resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment. And this we will do, if God permits.
A. Marks of a spiritually mature person
1. Devotes effort to the study of Scripture
2. Identifies areas of personal immaturity
3. Values correction
4. Presses into Jesus under pressure
B. Actions of spiritually mature person
1. Recognizes God’s grace in growth
2. Sacrificially serves others
Authors
